PHA-Exchange> Drastic Deterioration of Palestinian Health Conditions

[Aviva]

From: "Palestine Monitor" <palmon at hdip.org>

> The Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees
>
> Urgent Alert
> January 8, 2003
>
> Drastic Deterioration of Palestinian Health Conditions
>
> Palestinian Medical Relief is extremely concerned about the drastic
> deterioration of health conditions resulting from the Israeli military's
> complete prohibition on movement between cities and villages in the West
> Bank and Gaza Strip. This policy represents not only a violation of the
> right to freedom of movement, but it will lead to medical complications
and
> deaths for many civilians prevented from accessing medical care.
>
> The current closure throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip represents
a
> ratcheting-up of Israeli policies already in place, which have already
> devastated health conditions for Palestinians. Since September 2001, 83
> Palestinians have died at checkpoints awaiting access to medical care such
> as kidney dialysis or emergency care for heart attacks.  Furthermore, 36
> babies have been born at checkpoints.
>
> A joint study by Johns Hopkins University and US AID found that during the
> last six weeks, 33% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza requiring
> emergency care, 21% of women in need of mother/child care, 17% of children
> due for vaccinations, 44% of patients in need of kidney dialysis and 46%
of
> cancer patients in need of chemotherapy were not able to access medical
> facilities. According to Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi, President of Palestinian
> Medical Relief "This is an unprecedented situation. It is the first time
> that an entire people is prevented from using their roads for a period of
> almost two years. The effects on the health situation are catastrophic."
>
> Preventing civilians from accessing medical care is a clear violation of
> international law, which is itself a reflection of norms accepted
worldwide.
> International pressure on the Israeli government is necessary in order to
> ensure that fundamental human rights are protected and to prevent a
> worsening health crisis. We urge you to protest Israel's violations of
> international humanitarian law by contacting your government officials and
> the following Israeli officials:
>
> The Offices of the Foreign Minister
> Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
> HaKirya Romena, Jerusalem 91950
> E-Mail: sar at mofa.gov.il,
> Tel: 0972-25303531/3631/530, Fax: 0972-25303506
>
> Or the Minister of Interior
> Ministry of Interior,
> 29 Salah al-Din Str, Jerusalem 91010, Israel.
> Fax: 097226294750/ Tel: 097226294701
>
> For more information, please contact us at +972-2-298-5372,
> Email: mrs at upmrc.org
> or see our website: www.upmrc.org